26 October 2021
Tabcorp will partner with Club Menangle and Harness Racing NSW for this year’s $1.1m TAB Inter Dominion Pacing and Trotting Championships bringing in-depth coverage to viewers on Sky Thoroughbred Central for the first time.
The TAB Championships will be conducted with heats at Tabcorp Park Menangle, Gold Crown Paceway Bathurst and Newcastle International Paceway from Saturday 27 November, culminating with the Grand Finals on Saturday night 11 December at Australasia’s iconic Menangle track.
The return of crowds to the track will be complemented by the broadcast of all Inter Dominion events on Sky’s flagship channel, which is the centrepiece of the partnership between Tabcorp, Harness Racing NSW and Club Menangle.
Harness Racing NSW CEO John Dumesny said broadcasting the Inter Dominion to a wider audience was the key element when securing the partnership with Tabcorp and Sky:
“We are indebted to David Attenborough and Adam Rytenskild for the Tabcorp sponsorship, John Vellis and the Sky management team for continuing to support harness racing in NSW and very importantly, Peter V’Landys and Racing NSW, which exclusively provides the thoroughbred content for Sky Thoroughbred Central allowing this never before broadcast opportunity to harness racing,”
“The broadcast will allow harness racing to be showcased on a channel watched and appreciated by racing followers around the world whilst being hosted by the very best talent available, many of whom have a true affinity for harness racing having commenced their stellar careers at the trots.”
Tabcorp Managing Director Wagering & Media Adam Rytenskild said:
“TAB is delighted to sponsor Australasia’s most prestigious harness racing series, the 2021 TAB Inter Dominion, as it returns to New South Wales.
“As Australia’s biggest supporter of racing and a long-term partner of the NSW harness racing industry, we want to continue to support and promote pinnacle events such as the Inter Dominion.”
“We are especially excited about partnering with Harness Racing NSW and Club Menangle to broadcast the heats and finals on Sky Thoroughbred Central, which will provide comprehensive, in-depth coverage and help take the series to a broader audience.”
For Club Menangle, the inclusion of regional NSW racetracks at Bathurst and Newcastle was a continuation of an approach taken by the Club in 2002 when a round of heats was moved away from Harold Park. Since that time in other states, other host clubs have followed in sharing the prestige of the Inter Dominion with the regional areas.
Club Menangle CEO Bruce Christison said:
“The Inter Dominion in NSW is a joint venture between the Club and Harness Racing NSW. Club Menangle is involved in the Inter Dominion to ensure the tradition of the series continues but also to use the series to promote the sport throughout NSW,”
“To start and finish the series at Australasia’s premier track is sure to attract outstanding crowds, however, it is important that we share this opportunity with other areas of the state to showcase the elite level of our sport. The hosting of the series is a significant financial commitment and it is important to maximise the return across the entire state.”